Bonhams February sale smashes estimates

Bonhams Sale of Watches and Wristwatches at Knightsbridge on 18 February saw 90 percent of the lots sold, with several pieces exceeding their estimates.

Among the highlights was an important 1970 Heuer stainless steel automatic calendar chronograph bracelet watch estimated at £2,000-3,000 which sold for £6,000 and a 2001 lady’s Jaeger-LeCoultre 18ct gold dual sided manual wind reversible bracelet watch which was bought for £6,875 against an estimate of £2,500-3,500.

The top lot of the sale was a 2005 Cartier lady’s gold and diamond set quartz bracelet watch which had been estimated to sell for between £3,000-5,000 but which eventually went for £8,125.

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Other notable lots included a 1955 Rolex 18ct gold automatic calendar wristwatch Datejust, estimated at £2,000-3,000, and sold for £6,500 and an 18ct gold keyless wind full hunter minute repeating pocket watch by Dent hallmarked for 1822 which sold for £5,250 against its estimate of £5,250.

Head of Bonhams Watch Department, Kate Lacey, said: “The very high sale rate showed just how strong the middle market in watches and wristwatches is at the moment."